Emeli Sandé to headline free concert for NHS workers in Sunderland

Multi award winning singer and Sunderland University Chancellor Emeli Sandé will headline a free concert for NHS staff.

'Rocking In The Free World' will take place at Herrington Park on May 22 next year. It was organised by two friends from Sunderland, Andrew Kennedy and Ben Potts.

Freelance recruitment consultant Andrew wanted to do something special for NHS workers because his wife works the emergency admissions unit at South Tyneside Hospital. He said he has been moved by the challenges Jan and her colleagues are facing.

Andrew enlisted the support of Ben, whose band, North East rock tribute group, The Sons of Eden, played at his wedding and will also now be performing at the festival.

Songwriter and vocalist Karen Harding has also added her name to the line-up, as has South Shields-based Christian Yu, a nurse from the Philippines who is also a singer songwriter.

The event will be funded by donations.